Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine celebrates 38th commencement

Tuesday

May 19, 2020 at 4:36 PMMay 19, 2020 at 4:36 PM

Normally the third Sunday of May draws celebratory crowds of family and friends to Tufts for Commencement, but 2020 is not like any other year.

While the COVID-19 pandemic postponed undergraduate Commencement and forced graduate school festivities online, it didn’t stop the university from conferring degrees and congratulating the hard-working graduates on their accomplishments.

Hundreds of parents and family members, alumni, and friends recorded their well wishes on video for the graduates. Hank Azaria, A85, H16, famous for his voice acting on The Simpsons, summed it up with humor. “Who needs graduation on a beautiful, warm spring day surrounded by the warmth and love of your family? You’re the COVID Class of 2020, baby, own it! Just look at it this way: the rest of your life’s gonna seem so much better by comparison.”

In addition to Azaria and lots of moms and dads offering best wishes and a sprinkling of congratulatory songs, many others voiced their appreciation for the graduates, including chef and humanitarian José Andrés, Massachusetts U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Boston mayor Marty Walsh, actor Peter Gallagher, A77, U.S. Representatives Katherine Clark, Ayanna Pressley, and Jim McGovern—and many more.

President Anthony P. Monaco said in an address to graduates that “you’re entering a world that is subject to rapid change, in ways that are often unpredictable and sometimes difficult.” He added, “I hope that you will approach the opportunities and challenges ahead of you with the same enthusiasm, insight, compassion, and innovation that you have demonstrated during your time at Tufts.”

While the undergraduate commencement for the School of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering has been postponed until it is possible to safely have an in-person ceremony, the professional schools went virtual. The professional schools also plan in-person gatherings in the future.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine celebrated its 38th commencement May 17 with a ceremony led by Dean Alastair Cribb, who pointed out that the public is watching scientific research unfold in real time like never before. A fitting point, given that the gathering was virtual, with hundreds of graduates and their families and friends watching over Zoom and YouTube.

“You only need to look at what is happening around us today to understand the importance of scientific research, its interpretation, and its application to the advancement and protection of human and animal health,” said Cribb. “Lack of knowledge surrounding a new virus strain has hampered everything from control to treatment.”

Akram Da’darah, associate professor of infectious disease and global health, gave the first of two faculty addresses, and emphasized how the students’ specialties are desperately needed amid COVID-19.

“The interdisciplinary work you are trained to do is critical in the control of this pandemic and in the prevention of others from happening. You don’t need to wait for a challenge to come. The challenge is already here,” he said.

The students are ready to rise to the challenge, said class speakers Jacqueline Buckley, VG19, who received an M.S. in Conservation Medicine, and Ezra Frager, V20, who received his D.V.M. Both emphasized that the Class of 2020 had a “tough-as-nails” attitude that allowed them to plow through when the pandemic hit.

“We are still full to the brim with persistence, resilience, and grit. Even as our world changes seemingly overnight we adapt, we persevere and overcome each challenge,” said Buckley.

Frager delivered his address seated in front of a row of cows eating from a trough—and no, it wasn’t a Zoom background. Graduating amid the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t the only attribute that made the Class of 2020 so unique, he said.

“I’m proud to call this my class. We are a class of diverse, extremely academically inclined people who won’t stand for any injustices.” he said.

Melissa Mazan, V93, professor of clinical sciences, gave the second faculty speech. She reminded graduates that although this feels like a time of uncertainty, there is always uncertainty, and their education at Tufts will give them strength in the face of it.

“We are squarely in the midst of uncertainty. But challenge and uncertainty are what Tufts has always done well,” she said. “And you will always be part of Tufts.”